MEDICAL IP CEO Park Sang-Jun

World’s First AR-Integrated Surgical Navigation

Utilized for Medical Education, Plans for International Expansion

Professor Park Sang-Jun, a radiology professor at Seoul National University Hospital, often heard about the difficulties surgeons faced while working in the hospital. Surgeons prepare for operations by reviewing images taken and interpreted by radiologists, but these X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are typically black-and-white and two-dimensional. While radiologists, who frequently interpret these images, can easily understand them, surgeons often find it challenging to correlate the images directly with the internal human anatomy.

Surgeons must go through a separate process of interpreting the radiological images again. Failure in this process can lead to surgical errors. Complex surgeries often require frequent X-rays during the procedure, which can lead to skin cancer on the surgeons' hands due to repeated radiation exposure. Park stated, "I realized the need for imaging equipment that is easy for surgeons to understand and safe to use. While serving as the deputy director of the Medical Device Innovation Center at Seoul National University Hospital, I began exploring solutions to this problem." This led to the founding of MEDICAL IP, the first startup within Seoul National University Hospital.

◇ Transforming Flat MRI Images into 3D

Professor Park founded MEDICAL IP and developed MEDIP PRO, a surgical navigation system utilizing Augmented Reality (AR). This system uses medical images as navigational guides during surgery. Augmented Reality superimposes virtual images onto real-world objects, making them easier to understand. MEDIP PRO is the world’s first AR-based surgical navigation system.

When MEDIP PRO AR software is installed in a hospital's computer system, the patient’s MRI images are reconstructed into AR using artificial intelligence (AI). This converts the 2D MRI images into realistic, 3D visualizations on goggles or a tablet PC. The 3D visualizations have an error margin of only 1.9mm, with a recognition accuracy of up to 96% for human anatomical structures. The system received manufacturing certification from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2022, and was designated as a limited medical technology by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute last year.

During the pre-operation phase, surgeons can view MRI images alongside MEDIP PRO AR to easily determine the most efficient and safe surgical methods and pathways. Patients can also better understand their condition and the surgical plan through MEDIP PRO AR visuals. Confident in its AR technology, MEDICAL IP has registered MEDIP PRO for brain tumor surgery, one of the most complex surgeries. MEDIP PRO AR can be used for other conditions as well, and the company plans to expand its applications.

Beyond surgery, the technology can be used for medical education, such as training medical students and residents. In fact, since last year, MEDIP PRO AR has been supplied to Seoul National University, Kangwon National University, and Jeju National University for educational purposes. Seoul National University has even repurchased it this year. According to Park, MEDIP PRO AR is also being exported to Islamic countries and Africa, where cadaver use for anatomical studies is restricted due to religious reasons. He stated, "We plan to develop MEDIP PRO AR as educational software for anatomy training, serving as an alternative to cadavers for medical and nursing students."

While MEDIP PRO AR is MRI-based, MEDIP PRO STEREO is an AR medical device for thyroid surgery based on endoscopic images. Both MEDIP PRO AR and MEDIP PRO STEREO were selected as one of the top ten achievements by the All-Stage Medical Device Development Support Group this year. As AR-based medical devices are the first of their kind globally, obtaining certification and approval was particularly challenging due to the lack of precedent. CEO Park Sang-Jun noted that the support group played a crucial role in bridging the gap between regulatory authorities and the company, significantly easing the process.

◇"The Tougher the Challenge, the More It Aligns with Our Identity," Says CEO Park

CEO Park emphasized, "Our identity as MEDICAL IP is that of an AI software company that transforms 2D black-and-white images into 3D color visuals," and added, "We will continue to develop technology that not only aids medical professionals but also helps patients understand their conditions." He further explained, "I believe MEDIP PRO was chosen as a top achievement not just for its application in brain tumor treatment but also for its potential to transform medical paradigms and expand into spatial computing."

MEDICAL IP has also launched ANATDEL, a 3D printing device that creates life-like, three-dimensional models of human organs. This allows surgeons to review their surgical plans in a 3D format, similar to MEDIP PRO AR. According to the company, the use of ANATDEL has led to changes in surgical plans in 12 out of 64 brain tumor surgeries at Seoul National University Hospital and Chungbuk National University Hospital.

CEO Park commented, "While 3D printing has garnered positive feedback from the medical field, AR offers greater accessibility and potentially a more significant impact." MEDICAL IP has developed 77 patents and published 122 SCI-indexed papers through their work on the MEDIP PRO series and ANATDEL, making them a leader in medical AI research and innovation.

MEDICAL IP's future development plans align with the company’s core identity. CEO Park stated, "MEDIP PRO AR is the result of integrating medicine with spatial computing. Now that we have proven its potential, we will take on the challenge of converting X-ray images into 3D color visuals." He acknowledged that converting X-rays into AR is much more difficult than working with MRI or endoscopic images, but sees it as a challenge that aligns with the company's identity. "While clinical value is important, startups must remember that they are fundamentally tech companies. It is crucial to focus on survival and ensure the technology is commercialized," he said.

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